Fire-fighters - DOD and Civilian Certified Essay

Fire-fighters - DOD and Civilian Certified - Essay Example Fire fighters help protect against these dangers by being the first emergency personnel at the scene of a fire, traffic accident, hazardous material spills, medical emergency and other emergency incidents. They also provide leadership and support services for natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods (CDF). For a person to join and make a career in this work there are two avenues available, one through the Department of Defense (DOD) and the second through the civilian colleges that offer specialized courses in fire fighting. This paper explores the features of the two alternatives to compare and analyze the differences. Any person joining the defense services may opt to be a member of the firefighting arm of the army, navy, air force or the Marine Corps. According to the Department of Defense Fire and Emergency Services Certification Program (1995), the purpose of providing training in firefighting is to enhance the training process, improve performance, and strengthen the professionalism of all the Department of Defense Fire and Emergency Services personnel. The program measures the competence of the Department of Defense (DOD) Fire and Emergency Services personnel and provides a quality control element for the training process. ... This program meets the NFPA Professional Qualifications Standards outlined in the 1000 series standards. To be eligible to this training, the following conditions must be met: 1. Military and civilian Department of Defense (DOD) Fire and Emergency Services personnel, including civilian contractors, who have successfully passed the written and performance evaluations are eligible for certification 2. Eligibility for an individual to be administered the written and performance evaluations are based upon completion of a study program. The study program can consist of formal classroom instruction, formal schools, self-study, or a combination of these programs 3. The study program will not be used to render invalid any rank, qualification, certification, or appointment acquired before the implementation of this program 4. Training should be delivered in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible, including the increased use of distant learning technologies (Department of Defense Fire and Emergency Services Certification Program, 1995). According to the Department of Defense (DOD) Fire and Emergency Services Certification Program (1995), a person who enrolled at the Department of Defense Firefighter College Program will receive the certificate of completion in four months time. This is the highest level of fire service certification. Up until June, 1998, participation in the Certification Program was a "condition of employment" per DODI 6055.6 (DOD Fire and Emergency Services Program, 1994). As such, a fire fighter only had to be working toward certification to be "participating" and, as a "condition of employment", the program was fully negotiable at the local level (The Department of Defense Fire and